Bicester collection banks to be removed due to fly tipping

Two British Heart Foundation donation banks at Bure Parks shops in Bicester are to be removed due to the repeated dumping of glass bottles and other waste material.

The larger red bank accepted clothes, books and other items including shoes, handbags and toys, while the smaller brown bank accepted books, CDs and DVDs.

Now, residents have to take their charitable donations to the Bicester charity shop in Sheep Street.

Lesley Breedyk, area manager at the British Heart Foundation, said the charity is “grateful for everyone who wishes to donate” and those who are unable to visit the shop can send their donations using its freepost label service.

READ MORE: West Oxfordshire green garden waste bins go sticker-free

Since January, Cherwell District Council has been providing a kerbside glass recycling collection and has begun the process of removing glass banks across the district.

After identifying Bure Park as a repeated fly tipping location, it contacted the charity and agreed to remove the banks to discourage the criminal activity.

Cherwell District Council said: “We have found at other locations that once they have been removed that fly tipping does stop or reduce dramatically.

“The council takes this seriously and will check for any evidence that might lead to identifying who is responsible.

“It is a crime to fly tip waste and if those responsible can be identified then enforcement action is taken where appropriate.”